Crime commissioner backs down on council tax rise

ESSEX Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston has backed down over plans to raise the force’s council tax precept over fears a referendum could cost taxpayers millions of pounds.

He said: "On February 5, 2014, the government announced that any increase in council tax of 2 per cent or more would require a referendum. This includes the portion of council tax used to fund policing, known as the policing precept. I am disappointed in the decision to impose a cap, which I had advised against.

"However, I always recognised that the government might decide to impose a cap. As a result, I discussed this matter with the Police and Crime Panel at the meeting of January 29, when they agreed by twelve votes to three to approve an increase in the policing precept in Essex of 3.5 per cent.

"I firmly believe the majority of people living in counties which, for historic reasons, contribute the least through council tax for their policing would be prepared to pay a little more to protect front line policing. When compared with the other 35 shire forces in England and Wales, for 2013/14 the amount of council tax paid to fund policing services in our county was the fourth lowest in the country.

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"The central government funding reductions mean that Essex Police will face financial challenges this coming year which will become even more serious in the following two years.

"The Chief Constable and I are determined to deliver the best possible policing over this period, protecting the front line and local policing wherever possible. We are confident of building a safer Essex. But we are also determined to invest in the long term development of Essex Police through encouraging the professional development of all officers and staff, adopting innovation and new technology, and building a strategic approach to the police property estate.

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"My initial view is that it would not be a good use of public money to trigger a referendum in Essex. The commonly accepted estimate is that a referendum asking the people of our county whether they are prepared to vote for an increase of more than 2 per cent, or about 6 pence a week, to fund policing services would cost around £2 million.

"Given this, I propose to present a revised policing precept proposal to the Police and Crime Panel. Panel meetings are usually held in County Hall, Chelmsford, and members of the public are welcome to attend and ask questions."

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Comments (13)

Perhaps a slight reduction in the "Suprwage" top people pay themselves could go a long way in reducing the need to increase the precept. But as usual, the main government reduces central funding and Mr. "Low Average" coughs up more. With a Tory at the top of the political police branch, this was always going to be the way forward!

Perhaps a slight reduction in the "Suprwage" top people pay themselves could go a long way in reducing the need to increase the precept. But as usual, the main government reduces central funding and Mr. "Low Average" coughs up more. With a Tory at the top of the political police branch, this was always going to be the way forward!Devils Advocate

Perhaps a slight reduction in the "Suprwage" top people pay themselves could go a long way in reducing the need to increase the precept. But as usual, the main government reduces central funding and Mr. "Low Average" coughs up more. With a Tory at the top of the political police branch, this was always going to be the way forward!

Score: 6

John Bull 40 says...4:40pm Thu 6 Feb 14

getting rid of useless crime commissioners would be a step in the right direction.

getting rid of useless crime commissioners would be a step in the right direction.John Bull 40

getting rid of useless crime commissioners would be a step in the right direction.

Score: 11

Jack222 says...4:54pm Thu 6 Feb 14

Shows how little he understands the common world to even suggest a tax increase when we are all suffering. How much money did the police lose by having things stolen form the again - last week's news I know...

Shows how little he understands the common world to even suggest a tax increase when we are all suffering.
How much money did the police lose by having things stolen form the again - last week's news I know...Jack222

Shows how little he understands the common world to even suggest a tax increase when we are all suffering. How much money did the police lose by having things stolen form the again - last week's news I know...

Score: 3

Living the La Vida Legra says...5:42pm Thu 6 Feb 14

I would be happy paying 5% precept But not on this useless Essex Police force we have now! Totally agree with above quotes, huge salaries why?

I would be happy paying 5% precept But not on this useless Essex Police force we have now! Totally agree with above quotes, huge salaries why?Living the La Vida Legra

I would be happy paying 5% precept But not on this useless Essex Police force we have now! Totally agree with above quotes, huge salaries why?

Score: 4

Kim Gandy says...9:17am Fri 7 Feb 14

John Bull 40 wrote…

getting rid of useless crime commissioners would be a step in the right direction.

This one in particular. When you ask him a question he never knows the answer and looks away when you are talking to him. Others have said the same. I buttonholed him when he was in Basildon, to talk about Rayleigh. He didn't appear to know where Rayleigh was! As for the public meetings where you can ask questions, total waste of time. You have to submit them first so him and his "team" can work out how to evade the answer.

[quote][p][bold]John Bull 40[/bold] wrote:
getting rid of useless crime commissioners would be a step in the right direction.[/p][/quote]This one in particular. When you ask him a question he never knows the answer and looks away when you are talking to him. Others have said the same.
I buttonholed him when he was in Basildon, to talk about Rayleigh. He didn't appear to know where Rayleigh was!
As for the public meetings where you can ask questions, total waste of time. You have to submit them first so him and his "team" can work out how to evade the answer.Kim Gandy

John Bull 40 wrote…

getting rid of useless crime commissioners would be a step in the right direction.

This one in particular. When you ask him a question he never knows the answer and looks away when you are talking to him. Others have said the same. I buttonholed him when he was in Basildon, to talk about Rayleigh. He didn't appear to know where Rayleigh was! As for the public meetings where you can ask questions, total waste of time. You have to submit them first so him and his "team" can work out how to evade the answer.

Score: 1

RochfordRob says...9:50am Fri 7 Feb 14

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??RochfordRob

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Score: 2

ThisYear says...10:58pm Fri 7 Feb 14

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Did you get the heave-ho

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-hoThisYear

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Did you get the heave-ho

Score: 0

RochfordRob says...9:04am Sat 8 Feb 14

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-ho[/p][/quote]Nope, a big lump sum and a fat pension.
Thanks for your concern though.RochfordRob

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-ho[/p][/quote]Nope, a big lump sum and a fat pension.
Thanks for your concern though.[/p][/quote]Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?ThisYear

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Score: 1

Kim Gandy says...11:24am Sun 9 Feb 14

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Oh dear, that's you shut up... again. You're out of your depth mate. Oh and by the way, you need to check your syntax. It's terrible.

[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-ho[/p][/quote]Nope, a big lump sum and a fat pension.
Thanks for your concern though.[/p][/quote]Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?[/p][/quote]Oh dear, that's you shut up... again.
You're out of your depth mate.
Oh and by the way, you need to check your syntax. It's terrible.Kim Gandy

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Oh dear, that's you shut up... again. You're out of your depth mate. Oh and by the way, you need to check your syntax. It's terrible.

Score: -3

RochfordRob says...6:45pm Sun 9 Feb 14

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Then why opine that in the same post then numbnuts? I have a certificate signed by The Commissioner (a proper one) that declares my conduct and service throughout were exemplary. Proof enough for me, plus what drops into my bank a/c every 4 weeks. Lovely jubbly. The best bit is, I don't even need it ! Trebles all round.

[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-ho[/p][/quote]Nope, a big lump sum and a fat pension.
Thanks for your concern though.[/p][/quote]Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?[/p][/quote]Then why opine that in the same post then numbnuts?
I have a certificate signed by The Commissioner (a proper one) that declares my conduct and service throughout were exemplary.
Proof enough for me, plus what drops into my bank a/c every 4 weeks.
Lovely jubbly. The best bit is, I don't even need it !
Trebles all round.RochfordRob

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Then why opine that in the same post then numbnuts? I have a certificate signed by The Commissioner (a proper one) that declares my conduct and service throughout were exemplary. Proof enough for me, plus what drops into my bank a/c every 4 weeks. Lovely jubbly. The best bit is, I don't even need it ! Trebles all round.

Score: -2

ThisYear says...9:30pm Sun 9 Feb 14

Kim Gandy wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Oh dear, that's you shut up... again. You're out of your depth mate. Oh and by the way, you need to check your syntax. It's terrible.

Kim....never mind it doesn't matter :(

[quote][p][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-ho[/p][/quote]Nope, a big lump sum and a fat pension.
Thanks for your concern though.[/p][/quote]Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?[/p][/quote]Oh dear, that's you shut up... again.
You're out of your depth mate.
Oh and by the way, you need to check your syntax. It's terrible.[/p][/quote]Kim....never mind it doesn't matter :(ThisYear

Kim Gandy wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Oh dear, that's you shut up... again. You're out of your depth mate. Oh and by the way, you need to check your syntax. It's terrible.

Kim....never mind it doesn't matter :(

Score: 0

ThisYear says...9:45pm Sun 9 Feb 14

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Then why opine that in the same post then numbnuts? I have a certificate signed by The Commissioner (a proper one) that declares my conduct and service throughout were exemplary. Proof enough for me, plus what drops into my bank a/c every 4 weeks. Lovely jubbly. The best bit is, I don't even need it ! Trebles all round.

*why opine that* Why not? Im sure some on here will find your gloating over finance rather sickly...doesn't bother me though for I know the real worth of money. I know some people are annoyed by the pensions some public service workers get..again its all the same to me..your welcome to it..try by some decently and morals with it and see how far it gets you..LOL.

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big.
Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved?
The economies of scale would be enormous.
As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??[/p][/quote]Did you get the heave-ho[/p][/quote]Nope, a big lump sum and a fat pension.
Thanks for your concern though.[/p][/quote]Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?[/p][/quote]Then why opine that in the same post then numbnuts?
I have a certificate signed by The Commissioner (a proper one) that declares my conduct and service throughout were exemplary.
Proof enough for me, plus what drops into my bank a/c every 4 weeks.
Lovely jubbly. The best bit is, I don't even need it !
Trebles all round.[/p][/quote]*why opine that* Why not?
Im sure some on here will find your gloating over finance rather sickly...doesn't bother me though for I know the real worth of money.
I know some people are annoyed by the pensions some public service workers get..again its all the same to me..your welcome to it..try by some decently and morals with it and see how far it gets you..LOL.ThisYear

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

ThisYear wrote…

RochfordRob wrote…

Scrap it all and start again with one national Police force. After all, the country isn't THAT big. Think of all the overpaid idiots in charge at present getting the heave-ho and the money saved? The economies of scale would be enormous. As for this numb nuts 'commissioner' who dreamt that idea up - I thought Essex had a Chief Constable (and his legion of minions) what does HE get paid to do??

Thats the scandal of the thing...you have these 'wronguns' retiring to avoid sacking and more and they still keep their pensions...thats being said, not for a moment am I implying thats the case with you...you ken?

Then why opine that in the same post then numbnuts? I have a certificate signed by The Commissioner (a proper one) that declares my conduct and service throughout were exemplary. Proof enough for me, plus what drops into my bank a/c every 4 weeks. Lovely jubbly. The best bit is, I don't even need it ! Trebles all round.

*why opine that* Why not? Im sure some on here will find your gloating over finance rather sickly...doesn't bother me though for I know the real worth of money. I know some people are annoyed by the pensions some public service workers get..again its all the same to me..your welcome to it..try by some decently and morals with it and see how far it gets you..LOL.

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